Description
County Fair Funnel Cakes are a nostalgic American dessert known for their crispy, lacy texture and sweet powdered sugar topping. This easy homemade version mimics the classic county fair treat with a simple batter fried to golden perfection, perfect for serving warm and garnished with your favorite toppings like whipped cream or fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying and Garnishing
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk 3/4 cup of milk, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the milk and egg mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk thoroughly until the batter is smooth with no lumps, ready for frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy pan and heat over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C), the ideal temperature for frying funnel cakes.
- Fry the Funnel Cakes: Transfer the batter into a squeeze bottle or use a measuring cup with a spout for precise drizzling. Carefully drizzle the batter into the hot oil in a circular, zigzag pattern to create a lacy funnel cake shape. Fry each cake for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Drain Excess Oil: Use tongs to carefully remove the fried funnel cakes from the oil and place them on a paper towel–lined plate to absorb any excess oil and ensure crispiness.
- Repeat and Garnish: Repeat the frying process with the remaining batter. Once all are cooked, dust the funnel cakes generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Serve funnel cakes warm to enjoy the best crispy yet tender texture.
- Toppings like whipped cream, fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, or cinnamon sugar make delicious additions.
- If the batter is too thick to drizzle easily, thin it out by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk.
